The Nigerian Pony is a member of a group of ponies called the West African Dongola or West African Barb. The exact heritage of the Pony Mousseye is not known although it is thought that may have some common roots with the Nigerian. They are small ponies, which also exhibit some horse-like characteristics, and, like the Nigerian, the Pony Mousseye has been described as a 'degenerate Barb'.

Interestingly, the fairly rare Pony Mousseye mainly lives in the area around the river Logone, notorious for the tsetse fly that produced sleeping sickness. The Pony Mousseye, however, appears to be resistant to this, while other equine breeds are not. They live a very geographically isolated existence and have been largely unaffected by other breeds.

Breed Characteristics

The ponies make good riding ponies and, in appearance, have a large and heavy head, a short thick neck and a long back. The legs are short and strong and the breed possesses great stamina and endurance. They have an easy temperament. They can be any color, but are mostly chestnut, grey or white, with white markings and stand under 12 hands high.

Nigerian Pony

The Nigerian pony originates in Nigeria and is generally believed to be related to the Barb horse. The Barb breed, brought to Nigeria by the Nomads, were crossbred with the local ponies, which resulted in the Nigerian. The Nigerian pony may have been descended from the little known Pony Mousseye of Cameroon. The Nigerian is a large pony breed, although they are occasionally referred to as small horses. Although the Nigerian is a pony, it also exhibits some horse like features. They are very versatile and are often used for light draft and pack work, as well as for riding purposes.

Typically they are quiet and have good stamina and endurance. They can resist the heat of their environment, and are also tough and hardy. They tend to have plain heads with a straight profile and small, alert ears pricked forward, a short neck, nicely sloping shoulders, a deep chest, prominent withers, a short back, and the sloping croup characteristic to the Barb horse. They have a low tail set. They are, as a whole, attractive ponies, compact throughout the body with strong legs and well defined tendons, but sometimes poorly developed hindquarters. They can be of any color and often stand between 14 and 14.2 hands high, the limit for a pony.